Here are leading web-design agencies and studios that commonly work with startups (early-stage and scale-stage). For each I note what they’re best at, typical client-stage or budgets, and why startups pick them. I’ve included a mix of premium product/branding studios, growth/marketing website specialists, and fast/affordable options.

1. Clay — product-first, premium design for funded startups

• Best for: Series A+ SaaS / platform startups that need polished product‑led websites, premium UI/UX, and sophisticated motion/3D.
• Typical budget: usually higher-end (examples in the market show $50k+ enterprise/project pricing).
• Why startups pick them: strong product design background, visual polish tailored to tech brands. (uxvibes.medium.com)

2. BRIX Agency — growth-focused SaaS marketing websites

• Best for: SaaS startups that need high-converting marketing sites, CMS + front-end engineering, and conversion optimization.
• Typical budget: mid-range (often $15k+ projects; hourly and retainers used).
• Why startups pick them: emphasis on conversion, fast iterations, scalable UI systems for inbound growth. (Anoda.mobi)

3. UPQODE — conversion-driven WordPress & marketing sites

• Best for: startups that want SEO‑friendly, performance-optimized WordPress sites focused on lead generation.
• Typical budget: small-to-mid projects (often competitive for early-stage budgets).
• Why startups pick them: WordPress expertise, SEO and speed optimizations aimed at acquisition. (128zen.com)

4. Webflow / no-code specialists (examples: wCopilot and other Webflow-first shops)

• Best for: startups needing very fast turnarounds, easy content editing, and pixel-perfect marketing sites without long development cycles.
• Typical budget: ranges from affordable to mid-range depending on scope; attractive for lean teams.
• Why startups pick them: rapid prototyping, easy handoff to non-technical teams, lower build time. (128zen.com)

5. Clay / Onething-style international studios (creative + strategy)

• Best for: startups that need a full visual identity, brand + product website, and a design partner that scales internationally.
• Typical budget: mid-to-high depending on scope.
• Why startups pick them: combine branding, UX and sophisticated UI design to make a standout market debut. (Onething.design)

6. Anoda / RCCO and product-UX studios — product-driven UX and SaaS site strategy

• Best for: SaaS and fintech startups that want product-led design, design systems, and UX research woven into the site.
• Typical budget: mid-range to premium (design-system work raises scope).
• Why startups pick them: product-first thinking (not just visuals) so websites support onboarding and conversion funnels. (Anoda.mobi)

7. Zyner.io (and similar founder‑centric branding partners)

• Best for: tech founders who want fast branding + web launch with close founder collaboration (naming, messaging, site).
• Typical budget: often $25k–$75k+ for integrated brand + web packages.
• Why startups pick them: integrated brand → website workflow built for startup timelines and investor-facing materials. (Zyner.io)

8. Awesomic / subscription design platforms — low-cost, fast design & small web tasks

• Best for: very early-stage startups or teams that need ongoing small design tasks, landing pages, and quick iterations on a subscription basis.
• Typical budget: subscription pricing (lower cost than bespoke agency retainers).
• Why startups pick them: predictable monthly cost, speed for iterative design needs. (en.wikipedia.org)

How to pick the right agency for your startup (quick checklist)

• Stage fit: pick low-cost, fast options (subscription, Webflow shops) for MVP/seed; pick product/brand studios (Clay, Onething, Zyner) for VC-backed growth and investor materials.
• Outcome focus: marketing site vs. product UI vs. design system — choose specialists, not generalists.
• Speed & handoff: Webflow/no-code shops are fastest to launch; teams that build design systems are slower but scale better.
• Portfolio & references: ask for startup case studies (acquisition lift, demo signups, onboarding improvements).
• Budget transparency: get a clear scope + milestones and ask about post-launch support (analytics, A/B testing, CMS training).

Next steps I can take for you (I can do any one):

• Shortlist 3–5 agencies matched to your stage, budget, and tech stack (Webflow/WordPress/React).
• Draft an RFP template/questions to send to agencies.
• Compare two agencies you already have in mind (pricing, deliverables, timeline).

Which of those would you like me to do next?